This is not a medical site. Information on this page is provided on a "best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute personal advice. It is essential that you discuss medical matters with your doctor.

Arthritis

Q: What can I use to ease the pain caused by osteo-arthritis in both knees?

A: Supplementation with Omega 3 pure fish oil capsules can ease pain as it is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid, 1 to 4 grammes per day can be used depending on the level of pain. Look for high levels of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) such as DHA and EPA, our capsules contain 195mg of DHA and 320mg of EPA. Avoid saturated and omega 6 fats such as sunflower oils, butter and margarine, which can increase inflammation.

Studies at Cardiff University found cod liver oil can ease joint pain and may help to repair cartilage. The oil switches off the enzymes that attack the cartilage, so reducing the discomfort of inflammation. A previous study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis who took cod liver oil for a year or more saw such an improvement they cut their painkillers by 60 per cent.

The supplement Glucosamine Sulphate, a building block of cartilage, can help repair damage caused by osteo-arthritis. Dr Peter Fischer, a consultant rehumatologist and clinical director of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, says: "Studies mark it out as the single best treatment for slowing down arthritis."

Q: I suffer with osteo-arthritis, can I use Glucosamine. I am 83 years old, diabetic and allergic to shellfish. My doctor recommended Glucosamine provided I could find out if they contain sugar or shellfish.

A: Glucosamine sulphate would certainly be a very beneficial supplement for your condition. However Glucosamine is a sugar, although it is not a reducing sugar and should therefore not affect your diabetes, your doctor will be better able to advise you on the effects of such a small quantity (1500mg). No clinical studies to date have substantiated an increase in blood sugar or insulin levels in people taking Glucosamine.

Your other concern regarding your allergy is less clear. Our Glucosamine is derived from shellfish, although we believe that due to the chemical steps involved in the processing it would not have the allergic affects of shellfish. Again it would be best to discuss this with your doctor, as he will be more conversant with your allergy.

If you cannot take the Glucosamine supplement I would recommend that you try our MSM tablets combined with one of our quality fish oil tablets, Omega 3 or Cod Liver Oil.

MSM has similar benefits to Glucosamine; it is a synthetic sulphur and therefore contains no shellfish or sugar.

Exercise

Q: I circuit train as part of my exercise routine, how can Glutamine help me increase my strength?

A: When you train with weights you are actually tearing and breaking down the muscle, the muscle grows stronger as it heals and recovers from this excessive use. That is why rest days are vital to any training programme. Glutamine helps in the repair of muscle which leads to increased muscle mass and strength.

Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in your muscles - over 61 % of skeletal muscle is Glutamine. Glutamine consists of 19 % nitrogen, making it the primary transporter of nitrogen into your cells. During intense training, Glutamine levels are greatly depleted in your body, which decreases strength, stamina and recovery. It could take up to 6 days for Glutamine levels to return to normal - and Glutamine plays a key role in protein synthesis. Studies have shown that L-Glutamine supplementation can minimize breakdown of muscle and improve protein metabolism.

Pro Lode, our nutritional supplement aimed at athletes and bodybuilders, is fortified with L-Glutamine to help muscle repair. Pro Lode is a balanced blend of whey protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and L-Glutamine. Pro Lode is the ideal pre and post exercise nutritional supplement.

General Health

Q: What is the best cure for a hangover?

A: As most of us enjoy a drink or two, we occasionally suffer the after effects. The hangover, with its throbbing headache, nausea and dehydration can make you feel like you never want to drink again. A way to minimise these effects is to drink plenty of water and to supplement with milk thistle to help remove toxins from your body.

Alcohol mainly affects the liver, whose function is to break down harmful substances in the body. Research has shown that milk thistle promotes the regeneration of new cells, which replace old and damaged ones - helping to keep your liver healthy. It works by stimulating the production of a chemical called RNA polymerase A, which boosts ribosomal-protein synthesis to regenerate the liver. Milk Thistle is a powerful anti-oxidant that may protect the liver by blocking the entrance of harmful toxins while also helping to remove toxins from the liver cells. The recommended daily dosage is 200-400mg.

Q: I suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), my doctor has recommended I increase my B vitamin intake, is there anything else that may help.

A: Many IBS sufferers are lacking in B vitamins, a good B-complex supplement should be used to increase your levels of B vitamins. Check the contents for the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of each B vitamin to ensure that you are obtaining 100% RDA of each of the B vitamins.

Magnesium is crucial for proper bowel functioning; if you supplement magnesium you need to take calcium as well to aid absorption, in the ratio of 2:1 in favour of the calcium.

Aloe vera juice is also beneficial as it sooths and heals the damaged lining of the gut when you drink enough, take one quarter of a glass (approx. 60ml) in the morning and again at night.

Womens Health

Q: I am currently taking the contraceptive pill, are there any supplements that I should avoid?

A: Some things do not mix well with the pill and can interfere with the way it works. This may reduce its effectiveness or bring on some unwelcome side effects. It is best to avoid St John's Wort as this supplement increases levels of a liver enzyme that breaks down hormones, which may reduce the effectiveness of the pill. Also avoid excessively high doses of Vitamin C, over 1000mg, as this may interact with high-oestrogen versions of the pill to create PMS like symptoms. The Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin C is 60mg.

Q: We are trying to have a baby and are having difficulty conceiving, what can we use to help.

To help conception it is recommended that both sexes supplement their diet with at least 100mcg of selenium and 15mg of zinc daily, which can help regulate hormonal imbalances in women and is crucial for sperm health in men (in about 40% of cases, the man is reckoned to be grossly deficient in nutrients that nourish healthy sperm, especially zinc). Increasing folic acid in the diet is now widely recommended for all women of childbearing age, as it is needed for cell replication and growth. For women trying to conceive the RDA for folic acid is 400mcg to help prevent neural tube defects.

Skincare

Q: I suffer from adult acne, is there any thing I can take to reduce the level of acne

A: Contrary to popular belief, adult acne is not caused by junk diets or poor hygiene but by a hormonal imbalance and bacterial infection. Supplementation with Soya Isoflavones, a phytoestrogen, may help to counteract the hormonal imbalance. Follow a calcium rich diet (with lots of green, leafy vegetables) to help reduce the severity of infection and drink plenty of water to flush out toxins. You will also benefit from taking B vitamins, MSM (methylsulphonyl methane), flaxseed oil and zinc, all of which are known to nurture the skin.